Thursday, December 16, 2010

This blog today is to let my fans know I have just released a new E-kit - FengShui Designs in a Flash.For all of you out there looking to make some positive changes in your life through design, this kit is for you. You can save yourself time and money by applying fengshui designs yourself with expert advice on color, artwork, materials, elements and furniture. In this kit, you will find everything you need to transform your space into a healthy and successful living environment. Delve into your whole home or just one room; with each new design, a new energy will awaken your space and you.

The great thing here is for $29.95 you can begin transforming your space and your life. Not bad for those of us on budget; and let's face it who isn't on a budget. So navigate your way over to my website publication page : www.fengshuiyoganj.com/pub.htm and download your copy today.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

It's holiday time and that means extra spending on gifts, food, new outfits for those parties to attend, and an array of all sorts of "To Do's." One of the biggest concerns for us females is what to wear to all the festivities. We need to know if we look good and guess who has to answer that question. That's right...the men in our lives. So this blog is for all you men out there that really could care less what we are wearing as long as it is something you can pull off later on. It goes something like this...

"Babe - what do you think if I wear this shirt with these pants? Or, what about this sweater with this skirt? Or, should I wear these shoes or maybe the boots...Do these earrings look good with this necklace?..." And of course this dress rehearsal always comes during the middle of some big football game on TV. I know all the men out there are grinning from ear to ear right now because you have all experienced this conversation before.

I'm pretty sure ladies if we were to jump inside their heads while we are on our own private fashion runway it would sound something this: Wahwahwohwahhhhh! You know, Charlie Brown's teacher Mrs. Donovan. Let's face it ladies, we could care less what we are wearing for our husband's. In fact, we are dressing for each other. Just maybe this one time the men in our life are right. Maybe we are a bit crazy and overly concerned about everything. I think this karmic cure goes out for both parties here. Guys, you deserve a fashion break so go ahead grab that remote, take a deep yogic breath, and relax. Ladies, our karmic cure is more involved. We need to meditate for a few hours on how good we look no matter what we are wearing and just for good measure... do 10 sun salutations.

Om Shanti ~ And many blessings for a wonderful Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year!

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Have you ever found yourself at a party where you just didn't know anyone? The other night my husband and I were at a party where we only knew the guest of honor and of course each other. The obvious first move was to secure a drink; and so we did. With drink in hand and lights turned up unusually high, we found ourselves scanning the room for any familiar faces...To no avail. We both just looked at each other and knew we had to come up with something or it was going to be a LONG night.

We began to busy ourselves in idol chit chat trying to look like we fit in. It was at this time the two of us glanced up at the clock and saw only 15 minutes had passed. How were we going to mange this Party Island for several hours?

The food was finally served. Great! I'm thinking, this will eat some time up. No pun intended here. No such luck. I guess we are fast eaters because it was barely 9pm and we were done. Now what? "I've got it," I said to my husband. Remember the Seinfeld episode where Jerry and Elaine are faking a conversation, using hand gestures and facial expression to act as if they are in deep dialogue but in actuality they are talking about nothing? The two us just starting cracking up. And so there we went. The Italian hands were in motion - up, down, to the sides..I'm talking ever which way. The facial expressions were beyond belief that I think for a brief moment the other guest were actually jealous of how much fun were were having. And fun it was. The next thing I knew we had actually attracted a few people our way and started a conversation that ended up lasting over 2 hours. We left the party that night actually having a really good time.

So what's the karmic lesson here? You can always turn things around for the better if you stop and take two steps back and reevaluate the situation. The choice is always in our hands and the outcome is too.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

In the movie "The Firm," the actor Ed Harris portrays FBI agent Wayne Terrance. After making an underhanded deal with Tom Cruise who plays Mitch McDeer, to release his brother Ray from prison, he finds himself outsmarted by the prisoner when he moves under the FBI radar and gets away. It is at that moment when Wayne Terrance screams; "Someone get me a map of Louisiana!" Okay, all you ladies out there we know this is unusual male behavior. Men, by and large, never ask for a map. Let me fill you in for a moment of a perfect case and point. The other night my husband and I were on our way out to meet friends at a restaurant about 40 minutes from where we live. Neither of us had ever been to this restaurant and so directions were unfamiliar. Even though we have a navigation system, my husband felt no need to plug it in. There we were driving away to what I thought our final destination point, when all of a sudden he takes the wrong turn. Okay, no big deal, we'll just plug in that trusty navigation system and right the wrong and be there in no time. WRONG! My husband had a better idea - just keep driving.

After 15 minutes of driving in circles he screams out, "Will someone get me a map of Louisiana!" The two of us started laughing so hard that he had to pull off the roadway. For a moment I thought to myself..."Could it be possible that he will plug in the navigation system now?" Turns out I was able to persuade him to rely on the navigation system and within minutes we arrived at our destination point.

It is the little frustrations in life that can send us reeling out of control. BUT...If we remember to stop, take a breath, and look at the situation from the IN-side OUT, it usually is pretty funny. Hence, my husband screaming; "Will someone get me a map of Louisiana!" This one-liner from a great movie brought laughter to a situation that very easily could have turned into a yelling match. So keep breathing and keep laughing! Om Shanti...

Friday, November 12, 2010

It's a tradition now that every Sunday in the fall my husband and I get together with a few friends to walk the boards. We have a great time chatting, getting exercise, and watching the waves roll in. Since the weather is a bit colder now, it does get a bit challenging to stay warm. Hmm. What about some hot chocolate once we finish the walk? This was a grand idea. It was time to kick it up a notch in our stride, and we did just that.

It seemed like eternity before we reached the area on the boardwalk where you can sit for some sustenance. Finally, it was upon us - restaurants! The only problem; however, none of them served hot chocolate. We pressed on even though the cold wind was cutting into our faces, but it was worth it. I could just taste the creamy, chocolatety drink sliding down my throat and warming my belly.

Things were beginning to look grim, as there was only one place left on the boardwalk - an ice cream parlor. My 3rd eye - intuit self, was drawn to this place. I dragged the gang in and hit the proverbial jackpot...HOT CHOCOLATE! We couldn't get to the counter fast enough to order. And boy did we order. I'm talking LARGE and of course with whipped cream.

We sauntered towards the bar stools with hot chocolate in hand. The weird thing was my hand didn't feel warm holding onto the hot chocolate. Okay, just figured it was a well insulated cup and that's why I didn't feel the heat. I sit down on my stool, prop myself up nicely, and pucker my lips around the cup slowly sipping as not to burn my mouth. Hmm, no burning of the mouth and no warming of the belly. This hot chocolate wasn't HOT. At best it was lukewarm. There was something else strange about this hot chocolate - it didn't taste like chocolate. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but it was a cross between sugar and sugar.

Before saying anything, I decided to take a look at my friends' facial expressions while they were drinking this mystery cup of hot liquid. I couldn't help notice my friend Maria constantly licking her lips like she was trying to wash them off. Okay, it was time to make a comment, but before I could my friend said, "Are your lips really sticky?" It was time to let it roll now. I went on to give a dissertation about all the qualities, or rather lack of qualities, this hot drink had. For the next 15 minutes on our stroll back to the car we tried to decipher exactly what was in this mystery drink. To no avail. The enigma drink is what we were left with. I should have taken my husband's advice and stuck with the pasta fagioli.

What's the karmic lesson? Always listen to my husband when it comes to food.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

The arrival of the new refrigerator - or is it the reincarnation of the old? You let me know what you think.

Yesterday the call came in - the drop off would be between 10 AM & 2 PM. Just my luck, I had a fengshui consultation at exactly that time frame. I left my husband in charge for the new arrival. Thoughts danced in my head of the shiny new refrigerator sitting back in its' proper home - THE KITCHEN! I couldn't wait to get back home and walk into my living room, that would be so much bigger, then take the walk into my kitchen where I would find my new bundle of joy. I couldn't get the key in the front door fast enough. As I swung the door open I was shocked to find the loner still there. Okay, I took a breath and relaxed. I proceeded to make my way towards the kitchen and there it was, just as I imagined - gorgeous. Ah, a quiet stated elegance. Then it happened...the compressor kick on and the ringing sound began. This couldn't be, I thought to myself. I take breath number two, only this breath I initiate from deep in the belly. The compressor turns off and silence pours over my body like a warm soothing bath. Ah.

I run to find my husband to get the details on the deliver of our new addition and why the loner is still resting comfortable in my living room. Evidently there was a mix up about taking out the loner with the deliver of the new refrigerator. Of course my husband has no problem with this arrangement. If it were up to him he would just have them pick up the loner some time in 2011 after football season. Now the big question comes - I asked my husband if he notices the ringing sound from our new bundle of joy when the compressor kicks on. Are you ready for this one? Sure, but it doesn't bother me. Okay, here came breath number three, but this one was only coming from my chest, as I knew we were going to be the proud parents of yet another singing refrigerator.

The first thought that came to mind - this was the same refrigerator with a good polish job. The second thought goes a bit deeper. It is a reincarnate. Hmm. What are my choices here? Go through the entire process all over again - NOT! Thoughts race through my mind of how I can make this situation more pleasant. Then it hit me. We are in need of a new dishwasher. I'm going to find one with a baritone sound and between the two appliances we will have an appliance orchestra. Front row seats and music to our ears whenever we choose. The reality is not even my yoga today helped this situation. Instead, I went out to the field and knocked the day lights out of a few golf balls. I feel so much better now!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

The call finally came in...It's time to take the singing refrigerator to its' final resting place. After day 12 of staring at the voiceless food box standing in my kitchen, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief. My husband on the other hand is having a panic attack because he knows it is only a matter of hours before he loses the loner refrigerator that sits so nicely near the couch in the living room. No more is food and beverage a mere few feet away from his watching pleasure. The time has come where he will have to wait for a break in the action before he can feed his face.

Do I feel sorry for him? Perhaps, but I'm sure he will get use to the stroll back to the kitchen for his favorite nosh. Or will he? Last email I saw from one of my followers suggested a smaller refrigerator in a new location. Let's just say after the remote and football watching what's the next favorite place men like to be. I'll leave that one to your imagination.

I do not want to get too excited yet about my new refrigerator and the removal of the old. I still have 2 more days to wait for the "Big Switcheroo." There is no telling what can happen between now and then, not to mention the actual installation process. Hmm, I think it's time to do a little meditation and visualization.

Monday, November 1, 2010

You are probably wondering right now what this blog is all about and I don't blame you. I mean last you heard from me I was still singing the sour note of my refrigerator dilemma, which by the way is still unresolved, but more about that saga in my next blog.

Hmm, where to begin? The other day I decided to take my daily stroll to the mailbox and retrieve what the US Postal Service delivered for yours truly. I take the mail, stick it under my arm, and proceed back to the house to begin the sorting process. Yes, there is no waiting to go through mail in this house. Organization is the first rule of thumb when it comes to the SHUI. So here I am sorting away and all of a sudden I see this envelope with big red lettering "AARP" with my name on it. My husband, who happened to be right along side me, raises his eyebrows while nonchalantly trying to hold back the laughter. I'm thinking...okay, which one of my siblings is playing a joke on me. No such luck. As I open the envelope it is for real! Apparently by age 50 you are considered a candidate for AARP - Association for the Advancement of Retired Persons. Hey Mr. President...I'm only 49!

I'm sure any of my siblings reading this blog right now are on the floor rolling around from laughter. You see, the nickname for my husband and myself in the family is "The Retirees." Why? Well, let's just say we like to travel from time-to-time and act as though we are retired. I suppose it didn't help matters when my father invited us to a golf outing this past summer and we were the youngest ones by 40 years. I guess the word is out, or perhaps just the energy, that I attracted that AARP document right to myself. I'm just waiting for my husband to get his, but I guess that is a few years away for him.

After thoroughly cutting up the cards - yes there were 2 cards in case I lose one, I run to look in the mirror and check out if any new wrinkles have suddenly appeared on my face. Whew! I take a breath and decide it must be all that yoga that is keeping me looking younger than my 49 years.

From a fengshui perspective I think it's time to activate my southwest portent. That is the area for relationships in life. Time to add more earthy elements and few photos of younger people. Maybe that will work.

What's some of your daily frustrations? Feel free to comment them in and let me have a fengshui and yoga crack at it. www.fengshuiyoganj.com

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Well, we are coming up on a full week with my "singing refrigerator" being silenced by the unruly service man. The fixture still remains in my kitchen looking as if it always did with one exception...IT DOESN'T WORK! I can't tell you how many times we open it up fully expecting food source and then remember we have to take the daily trip into the living room to find sustenance.

Of course my husband is thrilled with his new living room. It's hard to determine what he is more fixated with now, the remote or the new refrigerator location. Call me crazy but I believe my couch is moving a few inches everyday closer to that Food Box. I just know that in the very near future that refrigerator is going to become the new end table. Here me out on this one. Can you just visualize the scene...you're watching your favorite TV show and your hungry, or better yet just thirsty. No need to move an inch, all you have to do is lean forward and open that beast and there you have it. Now I know these refrigerator end tables exist out there somewhere - QVC maybe, but it's not my idea of good feng shui.

This refrigerator issue is beginning to weigh heavy on my last nerve. My plan...make another call to the service department, take a deep breath, and run for my yoga mat. I find a little diversion from the frustration goes a long way.

I loved to hear about some of your frustrations out there and see what karmic cure I have in mind for you!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Okay, so some of my followers have been asking me what the title of my blog page, The Dented Face means. Actually, they really wanted to know how I came up with the name.

It all started about a week ago when I decided to go and have a massage. So right now I'm sure you are all wondering what a massage has to do with the title of my blog page. Trust me when I tell you it has everything to do with it. Let me begin by setting the scene. Not that I have to give you a blow-by-blow description of a massage, so I'll just cut to the chase. The masseuse was excellent, but definitely heavy on the hand. At any rate, I'm at the part of the session when you are face down on that pillow with the center cut out. I can't stand that cut out pillow on those tables. Someone really needs to develop a better pillow system for these tables, but I digressed. Anyway, I had this overwhelming sense that with every stroke across my back muscles by "man hands," the left side of my face was being dented. But the good sport that I am, I say nothing and just lay there feeling the left side of my face go numb thinking - this will be over soon. What felt like eternity passing, the masseuse finally gently taps my back and I know the session is over. I proceed to gather my clothes, get dressed, and nearly frighten myself with the look of my hair. For a moment I thought how a hat would be perfect to don to calm those out of control locks, but no such luck.

I head out from the spa and decide to run a few errands. You would think I would consider going home first and covering the oil laden head - not even a thought. As I go about my errands I'm noticing people really staring at me. Not giving it too much thought, I proceed to go about my business when I catch my reflection in a window front and wonder why my face looks a bit contorted. I jumped back into my car and take a closer look when I see this dent on the left side of my face. Now, I know it is normal to have the "massage face crease" but this was a rather chiseled look.

After eight hours the pillow outline from the massage table is still engraved in my face. A glass of wine later, as I'm tapping on my keyboard writing my first blog, I proceed to check on my new look. I scream up to my daughter and husband half laughing..."Great, now I have a dented face." A voice from above - What a perfect name for your blog page! So this my friends is the story behind the title of my blog page. The deeper meaning...the Buddha image on my page portrays enlightenment, peace, and the ultimate end path for us all. The Dented Face points to human frailty and imperfections. The image reminds us that if we become still in mind everyday we can better handle daily frustrations and move closer to our highest potential.

Stay tuned for my next blog. What's going on with that singing refrigerator?

Monday, October 25, 2010

What possesses a person to take a garbage can? Do they have some kind of a garbage fetish or do they simply have to have my garbage can for its' durability. Whatever the reason, I'm just trying to figure out how they confiscated it. I mean the container was full when I took it out to the street, so I'm assuming they waited until the garbage truck came by in the morning and that is when they decided to make their move.

I'm trying to picture the scene...the garbage man empties my can and out from the bushes comes this figure - covered camouflage make-up and a serpentine motion towards the can. Now here is where it gets a bit fuzzy for my imagination. Does the garbage snatcher lift the can by just picking it up and running down the street with it or is there a car involved with the heist?

Days later it is time to take the garbage out again, but no can to store the white bags of trash in. What to do...hmm? Do I just leave the trash bags out by the street and risk being fined by the community for no garbage can, or do I take a walk around the neighborhood to see if I can find the missing can? I decide to send my husband out on detail to find the missing trash holder. However, to no avail. He comes up empty. As I ponder my next move, the thought occurred to me...why not stick your bags in one of your neighbors garbage cans? Did I really think that? Desperate times call for desperate measures. Let's just say the garbage was taken and I didn't receive a summons.

Well, there is now two days left before it is garbage collection time again. I guess I'll just have to resign myself to the fact that my can is gone for good and a replacement will be the only option. In the meantime, to ease the stress and take a load off from the search, I decided to get into one of my favorite yoga poses that really calms the mind and relaxes the body. Legs - up - a wall or in Sanskrit Viparita Karani. It's so easy to do this pose and anyone can do it at any age. Simply lie on the groud on your back and slide your hips up against a wall. Allow your legs to naturally glide up the wall. You may support your lower back by sliding a rolled up towel beneath the sacrum. Spread your arms out to the sides with your palms open to the ceiling. Close your eyes, relax, and sink into the breath. Hang out here for as long as you want to. The only time to avoid this pose is if you have serious eye problems or neck issues. Enjoy!

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Are you still breathing? So the saga continues with my singing refrigerator. Now that it was put to its final resting place, the appliance department decided to give us a loner refrigerator to get through the weekend. And where to you think they dropped the loner off? That's right...in my living room along side my giant wooden armoire. Move over HGTV here's a new look for living rooms that even your best designers didn't think of.

I'm sure any of the men out there reading this blog think nothing of a refrigerator in the living room and probably think, "What a grand idea." I suppose I can live with this new look for a few days, but I'm a little worried my husband will make it a permanent furnishing. I have to admit it was rather convenient last night while watching a movie to have instant access to food and beverage not to mention the water light on the refrigerator door dubbing as a romantic lighting source. Did I really just say that?

Okay, let's look at this from a fengshui perspective. First off, my new refrigerator sits in the NE 3rd mountain or what is referred to as the Tiger energy. This happens to be a Tiger year and the Grand Duke should not be disturbed. Shame on the FengShui master - yours truly who just had to have her new kitchen floor and appliances. Well, let's just say I upset energy that shouldn't have been agitated and the result was problems with the new tile floor along with a new refrigerator blowing apart. Lesson learned...practice what you preach. At least I can rest easy that my refrigerators' temporary home is actually satisfying an elemental cure necessary for this month energy in that particular portent of the home:)

Visit my news page with all kinds of fengshui and yoga tips: www.fengshuiyoganj.com and click on the "News" tab!

Friday, October 22, 2010

So here I am working away on my computer creating the next fengshui and yoga class and the only thing I can focus on is the high pitch humming sound coming from my new refrigerator. This is a daily song that hums the same note repeatedly day after day. Well, today was the day I had enough of the soprano refrigerator. Along walks in the repair man - did I mention this was a new refrigerator? The next thing I know not only is the singing food box silenced, but it was put out of its misery with a flick of a switch - No compressor and control board. Hmm...Did I mention the refrigerator was fully stocked with a fresh food shop and it was a Friday afternoon? Here comes the good part...Miss FengShui Master and Yogi, instead of breathing, finds herself in an outer body experience telling the appliance department a few choice words that I would rather not repeat. So the moral of the story - take a breath before reacting and know your inner spirit is always calm and knows what to do. Whew... Need the shui and yoga - www.fengshuiyoganj.com